Rain played spoilsport at Edgbaston on Sunday, delaying the start of play on the final day of the second Test between England and India. The weather interruption came as a dampener to India’s hopes of clinching a series-levelling win, after they had thoroughly outclassed the hosts on the fourth day.

By stumps on Saturday, England found themselves placed at 72 for 3 in just 16 overs, still a mammoth 556 runs adrift of an improbable win target. Harry Brook remained unbeaten on a brisk 15 off 15 balls, alongside Ollie Pope, who was holding firm on 24 off 44. India, leading the charge with relentless pace, will be hoping for clear skies and a full day’s play to pick up the seven remaining wickets needed to square the five-match series at 1-1.

Earlier, India’s pacers made decisive inroads under overcast skies. Mohammed Siraj struck the initial blow, dismissing Zak Crawley for a seven-ball duck. Crawley, lured into driving a delivery that demanded restraint, paid the price for his ambition. Reaching out away from his body, he nicked the ball to substitute fielder Sai Sudharsan, who made no mistake, leaving Crawley in stunned disbelief.